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UCL Final: Man United Vs Barcelona On Wednesday 27th May,7.45pm Nig Time
Rome awaits as FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC prepare to meet in the UEFA Champions League final on Wednesday night. The season's best attacking team take on the campaign's most miserly as Barça aim to be crowned champions of Europe for a third time while United look to become the first side to defend the trophy since the onset of the UEFA Champions League
Barcelona’s defence has been suspect all season, and they looked vulnerable in their return leg game against Chelsea when the Blues hit them on the counter attack. In Manchester United, they will be up against one of the best counter-attacking sides in the world.
The additional problem for Barcelona is that they will be without key men at the back. Captain, Carlos Puyol will be back from suspension. However, his regular partner Rafael Marquez is out for the season, and coach Pep Guardiola will also have to cope without his two first choice full-backs, Eric Abidal and Dani Alves, who are both suspended. It is very doubtful that a makeshift Barcelona defence will be able to keep Manchester United’s attack out for ninety minutes. If that is the case, it will be up to Barcelona’s attack to find a way through the Reds’ resolute defence.
Goalie Victor Valdez has been shaky off late but with a strong defence, he may make quality saves.
The performance of Portuguese star Ronaldo could be key to United's chances of retaining the European Cup, but Pique believes his four years at Old Trafford have given him an insight into what makes Ronaldo and co tick.
"I know most of the players inside-out because I have spent hours and hours with them in training,'' he said. "I have passed on some of that knowledge to the coach (Pep Guardiola) and my team-mates and I'm sure it will help. I think I know all Ronaldo's tricks by now - he's a great player and he can hurt you, but I've spent a lot of time playing with him and against him in training, and I believe we can stop him.''
United are the current Champions League holders, and thus, excluding Dmitar Berbatov, have a squad full of players who have already experienced, and come through, the pressure of club football’s biggest game. In Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Edwin Van Der Sar and Owen Hargreaves they have a collection of players who have lifted the trophy twice or more, so it is unlikely the occasion should affect Alex Ferguson’s side. Then there is Ferguson himself. The Scot has managed in four European finals in his long managerial career, and he has overseen his sides’ triumph in every one.
Ferguson will set-up his side in much the same way he did against Arsenal, and will look to his midfield to break down opposition moves, before launching quick attacks. The Scot will have seen how well Chelsea nullified the threat of Barcelona, and will use that as an example to his players. Darren Fletcher will be missing from Sir Alex's midfield though, due to the red card he got at the Emirates during United's UCL return leg against Arsenal. Ji-Sung Park has been promised a start by Sir Alex to make up for his being left out of the UCL team last season.
Rio Ferdinand is likely to start for the Red Devils. The defender has been out injured for some time now, and there have been questions regarding his fitness for the game. His absence in the EPL game against Hull gave some cause for concern, but Sir Alex is hopeful that the defender will be ready for Wednesday.The only other question marks surround the fitness of Rafael and Wes Brown who both picked up minor knocks in the 1-0 win at the KC Stadium.
"I took Rafael off [as a precaution] and we'll get him checked on Monday, but hopefully he'll be okay," revealed Sir Alex. "Wes got a little knock, but given that it was his first game back after so long out we're thankful he's come through well overall."
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has been ruled out of the Champions League final because of a thumb injury that requires surgery. Now with this, Edwin Van der Saar had better not get injured 'cos the thought of Tomas Kuszczak in goal against the forces of Barca isn't too comforting for United. John O'Shea has also been promised a start by Sir Alex, so the possible line-up at the back will be O'Shea-Rio-Vidic-Evra.
Two of football's greatest players- United's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be up against each other on the night. Both will be eager to prove their worth to the world, and eager to put up performances that will make football lovers finally decide on the better of the two. That possible? I wonder.
This promises to be yet another unforgettable UCL final.
Barcelona’s defence has been suspect all season, and they looked vulnerable in their return leg game against Chelsea when the Blues hit them on the counter attack. In Manchester United, they will be up against one of the best counter-attacking sides in the world.
The additional problem for Barcelona is that they will be without key men at the back. Captain, Carlos Puyol will be back from suspension. However, his regular partner Rafael Marquez is out for the season, and coach Pep Guardiola will also have to cope without his two first choice full-backs, Eric Abidal and Dani Alves, who are both suspended. It is very doubtful that a makeshift Barcelona defence will be able to keep Manchester United’s attack out for ninety minutes. If that is the case, it will be up to Barcelona’s attack to find a way through the Reds’ resolute defence.
Goalie Victor Valdez has been shaky off late but with a strong defence, he may make quality saves.
The performance of Portuguese star Ronaldo could be key to United's chances of retaining the European Cup, but Pique believes his four years at Old Trafford have given him an insight into what makes Ronaldo and co tick.
"I know most of the players inside-out because I have spent hours and hours with them in training,'' he said. "I have passed on some of that knowledge to the coach (Pep Guardiola) and my team-mates and I'm sure it will help. I think I know all Ronaldo's tricks by now - he's a great player and he can hurt you, but I've spent a lot of time playing with him and against him in training, and I believe we can stop him.''
United are the current Champions League holders, and thus, excluding Dmitar Berbatov, have a squad full of players who have already experienced, and come through, the pressure of club football’s biggest game. In Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Edwin Van Der Sar and Owen Hargreaves they have a collection of players who have lifted the trophy twice or more, so it is unlikely the occasion should affect Alex Ferguson’s side. Then there is Ferguson himself. The Scot has managed in four European finals in his long managerial career, and he has overseen his sides’ triumph in every one.
Ferguson will set-up his side in much the same way he did against Arsenal, and will look to his midfield to break down opposition moves, before launching quick attacks. The Scot will have seen how well Chelsea nullified the threat of Barcelona, and will use that as an example to his players. Darren Fletcher will be missing from Sir Alex's midfield though, due to the red card he got at the Emirates during United's UCL return leg against Arsenal. Ji-Sung Park has been promised a start by Sir Alex to make up for his being left out of the UCL team last season.
Rio Ferdinand is likely to start for the Red Devils. The defender has been out injured for some time now, and there have been questions regarding his fitness for the game. His absence in the EPL game against Hull gave some cause for concern, but Sir Alex is hopeful that the defender will be ready for Wednesday.The only other question marks surround the fitness of Rafael and Wes Brown who both picked up minor knocks in the 1-0 win at the KC Stadium.
"I took Rafael off [as a precaution] and we'll get him checked on Monday, but hopefully he'll be okay," revealed Sir Alex. "Wes got a little knock, but given that it was his first game back after so long out we're thankful he's come through well overall."
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has been ruled out of the Champions League final because of a thumb injury that requires surgery. Now with this, Edwin Van der Saar had better not get injured 'cos the thought of Tomas Kuszczak in goal against the forces of Barca isn't too comforting for United. John O'Shea has also been promised a start by Sir Alex, so the possible line-up at the back will be O'Shea-Rio-Vidic-Evra.
Two of football's greatest players- United's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be up against each other on the night. Both will be eager to prove their worth to the world, and eager to put up performances that will make football lovers finally decide on the better of the two. That possible? I wonder.
This promises to be yet another unforgettable UCL final.
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